Girls Night

Under the scorching summer haze, 18-year-old Kacey cruises to her pal Andi's pad, backpack stuffed with board games and a pillow slung in the back, radio blasting some gritty tune. They've been glued at the hip since forever, even after Kacey's clan bolted town. This is their last hurrah before scattering to separate colleges across state lines—Andi's throwing a 'girls' night' sleepover to cling to the past. Kacey knocks, and Andi yanks the door open with manic glee, pulling her into a tight squeeze, snatching her gear as they stumble inside. But Andi's eyes dart wild, locking the door like she's sealing in a secret. They flop in the living room, spilling gossip, until Andi's step-brother Todd barges in, shattering the vibe. Kacey's always dodged this creep—the family's rotten apple, jobless thug bouncing from scrapes, fresh off an army discharge, crashing back home. Andi's been zipped about it. Instant shift: her bubbly spark dies, body rigid, voice a whisper. Kacey clocks it, but Todd's already wedged onto the couch, bulldozing their chat. He shreds Andi with cutting barbs in front of Kacey, lacing in filthy cracks that make her squirm, his hands roaming too bold, eyes hungry and invasive.